The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-04-30
G iARMIne COMO.
The Characteristics and Surroundings of
Italy's Most Beautiful Lake.

The Characteristics and Surroundings of
Itaiy's Most Beautiful Lake.
More than two-thirds of the beautiful
villas on Lake Como are owned by En-
glish people, who come down through
Switzerland and France between the
lst and 10Th of August. and remain
until the end of October. usually. The
most magnificent, though by no means
the most charming villa on the lake is
the property of the Viscountess Mudro-
da. and was formerly the summer home
of the Countess R.limondi. the daugh-
ter of Garibaldi. 1t is large white
marble building, with three great doors
in front. over which hang heavy can
vas curtains at present, and before
which the family congregate about five
o clock in the afternoon to take some
light refreshments and chat until dim
ner time. The grounds are extremely
beautiful. being wild and woody in
parts, with quaint grottOs and curious
fountains here and there, and the lawns
dotted with immense magnolia and
lemon trees. A great gilt crown sur
mounts the center pinnacle. and on the
iron gate is written the word "lOr-
man." the name of the place The
lodges, one at each end of the grounds,
are also of white marble. The Wis
countess entertains great deal, giving
many dinners, lawn parties, fancy balls.
etc. just above, on the mountain side.
is the lovely country palace of Monsieur
and Mime. Capada. who were both
famous singers here in Italy, some ten
years ago
| Further up on the lake are the old
villas of Taglioni and Vasta. where
these celebrities once lived A little
farther on is beautiful island. former
Is fortified, which PLAYED an important
part in the military annals of the Mid
/ die Ages. Charming ruins and few
modern houses cover a portion of it
now. but the old guide still shows you
shadowy looking caves that the spirits
| of the thousand witches burned in Co
mo in 1924 are said To haunt cOntin-
ually. and on the highest promontory
of the little isle stands rickety bell
tower among the azalia and camelia
bushes. and there. every May day, goes
| Young peasant lad of the vicinity to
ring the bell and call all the young men
and maidens wit.in hearing together.
that from anon l.iem he may choose
| the maid be loves best to be his bride.
The custom is very old and very regu-
larly observed in the lake districts, and
no spot could be more fitting assuredly
than that on the beautiful Island OF
Comacino. At the upper end of the
lake are the two beautiful resorts OF
Bellagio and Cadenabbie. Charming
balconies from hotels. restaurants and
/ villas hang over the waters edge, and
the view in every direction is enchant-
ing. At Bellagia the tourist may pur-
chase the silk blankets and scars
of rich Roman colors. or the
lace that the little girls make,
sitting in front of the houses on the
narrow streets: also the tiny wooden
shr 5 of the Italian peasant girls. Al
Cadenabbie is the famous Villa Gotta
the property of the Duchess of SAKE
meiningen. The terraced gardens art
beautiful beyond description. and the
tiny landing place (steps and break
water all of white marbEe) Is one of tbs
prettiest on the lake. In the great hal
of the house is Thorwaldsen' frieze
representing Alexander's triumph
Several works of Canoya are there also
First. and always first for beauty anc
grace among the great works of th'
sculptor is his Cupid and Psyche.
The combined power and airy lightnes
of design seem almost to endow th'
marble with life. and one half expects
to see the two exquisite figures moy'
and fly away. or step from their cold
black pedestal into the light and sun
shine to rest with the butterflies anon:
the flowers. There are but two or thre'
places of any historic interest on LAX
Como. and of these the town of Conn
itself is the chief.
On the top of hill, which forms tn
background of the town, stands mos
picturesque UNCOVERED old tower. No
a window. crack or crevice breaks tn
stretch of stone from top to bottom. ant
its curious construction almost tells it
cruel history.
Sometime in the fifteenth century
Duke of Como loved a beautiful Vero
nese lady. who, however. preferred
Young lord of her native city. TIL
Duke. infuriated Mt the rejection of hi
suit, vowed vengeance upon the luekles
lover, and added the tower mentione
above to his splendid castle. Then h
waited. like all evil spirits in legends
until just before the marriage of tn
happy pair. when he took the youn
man prisoner one night, and bearin
him to his own domain, lowered hin
with ropes into the dark round tower
There he left him, and the third nigh
after, so the story goes. the peasant
in the neighborhood saw white dov
flv from the tower and bear straight t
: Heaven human heart; and to this da
the old Castle Baradelia (such it
called) is the favorite haunt of dove:
and no good peasant ever kills one witt
, tout breathing an Ave Maria or d'
: voutly crossing himself At the norti
ern end of the lake is ruined castle {
!, the thirteenth century, a few yards frol
a which there is rocky pass bearing tf